The Goat

The Goat at Downton is a welcoming village pub right in the centre of Downton, on the edge of the New Forest. The spot mixes bar, pizza, British pub, gastropub, and even some Latvian influences, serving lunch and dinner with options for vegetarian and gluten-free diets.

They focus on locally sourced ingredients for hearty classics, like chicken pie, lasagne, balti curries, fish and chips, sandwiches, Greek-style kebab, cottage pie, and Sunday lunch, plus desserts such as cheesecake.

The drinks include great local ales, and it recently got into the CAMRA Good Beer Guide for the first time, marking it as one of the top pubs around.

It is dog-friendly, with treats like biscuits and blankets for pets, and has a big garden with a firepit that’s perfect for chilling out. They host events too, such as live music and seasonal get-togethers.

Customer reviews give it a solid four out of five overall from 184 ratings on Tripadvisor, where it ranks third out of five spots in Downton and earned a Travelers’ Choice award for 2024.

People often praise the relaxed and comfy vibe, the varied seating, and the friendly, efficient staff who are attentive without hovering. The food gets lots of love for being tasty and well-presented, especially things like the pies, sandwiches, and lasagne, and folks appreciate the dog-friendly setup and the warm atmosphere after a recent refurb.

Other sites echo this, calling it charming with excellent beers and delicious grub that’s a hit with locals and visitors.

Recent feedback is mixed, with some loving the helpful team and impressive first visits, while others noted disappointing quality on repeat trips or issues with advertising.